CHAPTER 1: A ROSE BEFORE THE RACE
“Wow, Liara... what a beautiful painting. They say anything created with your heart goes
beyond imagination.”
Liara smiled proudly as she admired her painting.
She hummed softly while twirling her paintbrush between her fingers. Streaks of paint
decorated her cheeks, and colorful splashes covered her clothes.
“Liara, my gorgeous daughter.”
“Yes, Mom? I'm almost finished.”
“I brought you something.”
“Thanks Mom. I love you.”
Liara took a sip before asking,
“Mom... honestly, what do you think of my painting?”
“Hm...” Her mother studied it for a moment.
“It looks wonderful... except the nose is a little crooked.”
“Mom!” Liara groaned.
Her mother laughed. “I'm kidding. My daughter is a talented artist.”
“Oh, I almost forgot,” her mother said.
“Arin is waiting downstairs.”
Liara froze.
“What? Arin?”
“Don't let him come upstairs!” She said in a panic.
“What will he think if he sees me looking like this?”
Her mother smiled knowingly.
“I already told him to wait downstairs.”
Then she leaned closer and whispered,
“And he's holding a bouquet of roses.”
“Mom...” Liara sighed, trying to hide her smile.
“You and your surprise.”
“Go get ready.”
Liara nodded and stood.
“Okay, Mom. I'll be down in a minute.”
“Aunty...” Arin greeted politely as he waited on the sofa.
“She'll be here in just a moment, dear.”
“Aunty, can I go to her room?”
“Just give her another minute.”
Arin smiled, but inside, he was growing restless.
Just a little longer...
“Dear, I'm making coffee for you. Have some before you leave.”
“Thank you, Aunty. The long drive gave me a bit of a headache.”
How am I supposed to fix my hair? This way... or that way? Ugh... My hair never
cooperates; she muttered to herself.
A soft knock came at the door.
“Knock, knock... May I come in, sweetheart?” Arin called gently from outside.
Liara froze.
“Uh... no... I mean, yes... No... What am I even saying?”
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.
“Come in,” she finally said.
Arin stepped inside.
“Oh, wow... I thought I'd be waiting outside forever,” he joked with a smile.
“Sorry for making you wait.”
His gaze drifted to the painting on the easel.
“Wow, Liara... did you paint this?”
His voice was filled with genuine surprises.
“No,” she replied without hesitation.
“Don't lie,” Arin teased. “I know you painted it.”
“No, I didn't,” she insisted, trying to keep a straight face.
“Is that so?” A smile tugged at his lips.
He walked over to the paint tray and dipped his index finger into the yellow paint.
“Arin, what are you doing? You'll get paint all over your hands.”
But he ignored her.
He closed the distance between them until they were standing only inches apart.
His gaze settled on hers.
“Hm...” He murmured, studying her expression.
Unable to hold his gaze, Liara quickly looked away.
Still watching her, Arin lifted his paint-covered finger and brushed a streak of yellow across
her cheek.
“Arin!” She exclaimed.
“What was that?”
“You can't fool me,” he said with a grin.
“Your eyes always give you away.”
He playfully pinched the tip of her nose.
“Hey! Not my nose!” She protested, taking a small step back.
“When are you going to stop teasing me?”
Instead, Arin slipped an arm around her waist and drew her closer.
Liara's pulse quickened.
She stood perfectly still, unable to look away.
Arin leaned in until only a breath separated them.
“Arin...” she whispered.
A faint smile crossed his face.
“Relax,” he said with a smile.
“You know you're adorable.”
“Arin... you're too close.”
He chuckled. “You're blushing.”
“Arin... we're at home.”
Before she could say anything else, Arin lightly placed a finger against her lips.
“Shh...” he whispered.
Liara's pulse raced.
“Why are you so nervous?” He asked, searching her face.
“N-no...” She stammered, though the tremble in her voice gave her away.
“Arin... what are you doing?”
She tried to step back, but his steady gaze kept her rooted to the spot. It wasn't fear that held
her there; it was something she couldn't quite put into words.
Silence settled between them.
They stood so close she could feel the warmth of his breath.
Without saying a word, Arin kept his arm around her waist, unwilling to let the moment slip
away.
“I don't want this moment to end.”
“Liara...”
“You have no idea how hard it is for me to stay calm whenever I'm this close to you.”
“Dear, the coffee is ready,” her mother called.
“Oh no... Arin, let me go. That's Mom.”
She tried to pull it away, but Arin was still completely absorbed in the moment.
Instead of releasing her, he reached up and gently brushed a few loose strands of hair behind
her ear before beginning to fix her hair.
“I'll braid your hair.”
“Arin... Mom will see us,” she said anxiously.
He met her eyes for a moment before giving a reluctant nod.
“Alright.”
He let go of her waist and sat down on the edge of her bed, a faint pout still on his face.
Oh no... He's upset, Liara thought.
She slipped the comb into his hand.
“Sit,” he said quietly.
“Are you still upset with me?”
Arin let out a slow breath but remained silent.
He carefully combed through her long hair, patiently untangling every knot. His touch was
so gentle that she barely felt it.
A few minutes later, he finished braiding her hair.
“Thank you, Arin.”
He stayed silent, though the slight pout hadn't quite disappeared.
“Shall we go?”
“Hm.”
She reached for his hand.
Arin glanced at her before the corners of his lips lifted into a faint smile.
Hand in hand, they walked downstairs together.
“Mom... Arin and I are going to a friend's party. We might be home a little late.”
“No problem, dear. If Arin is with you, I won't worry,” her mother said with a smile.
“I told you,” Arin whispered near her ear.
“Using your mom as an excuse worked.”
“Arin...” she muttered under her breath.
He smiled.
“Next time, you'll have to come up with a better excuse.”
She looked at him for a moment, her expression turning thoughtful.
Then they both smiled.
The car rolled quietly along the road. Romantic songs filled the air with Arin's favorite
playlist but instead of relaxing Liara, they only made her more nervous.
“Liara, today's going to be fun.”
“Our excuse worked, didn't it?” She asked with a smile.
“I told you not to worry. I'm here.”
“Besides, I practically had to drag you here. Otherwise, you would never agree,” he said,
giving her a gentle squeeze.
“If you hadn't made me promise, I would've stayed home,” she admitted.
“Come on, Liara. You'll enjoy it.”
He pressed the accelerator, and the car picked up speed.
“Arin, slow down! You're scaring me.”
Without hesitation, Arin eased off the accelerator and pulled the car over.
“I just wanted a moment alone with you,” he said softly.
Liara stayed silent.
A few seconds later, she gave him a shy nod.
Arin picked up the rose he'd been carrying and held it out to her.
“This is for you, sweetheart.”
She smiled.
“Thank you.”
“Not yet,” he said with a grin.
Before she could react, he tucked the rose behind her ear, adjusting it carefully.
“There... now it's perfect.”
“Arin...” she whispered, lowering her gaze.
“Sometimes I'm scared... What if this feeling disappears one day?”
He didn't hesitate.
“It won't,” he said, his voice calm and certain.
Then he picked up the shopping bags beside him and handed them to her.
“I got these for you.”
She looked at the bags in surprise.
“Thank you... But what's the occasion?”
He smiled.
“Do I really need a reason to spoil the person I love?”
A smile spread across Liara's face.
“You always know how to make me smile.”
He laughed.
“Glad to hear it, boss.”
Together, they drove to the race.
“We're already late! How are we supposed to start the race now?” one of Arin's friends
complained.
Arin laughed.
“You know how girls are, Carl.”
Liara raised an eyebrow.
“Oh? Is that your excuse?”
“Maybe,” Arin admitted with a grin. “Come on, we're not that late. Let's get started.”
“Let's make the teams first,” someone suggested.
“Hold on,” Sia said. “Rick's almost here. We should wait for him.”
The smile disappeared from Arin's face.
“What? Rick?” His voice hardened.
“I told you not to invite him.”
“Arin, he's our friend too,” Carl replied.
“Fine,” Arin said coldly.
“Then I'm leaving.
”Anger flashed across Arin's face.
Before anyone could react, Liara quickly caught his hand.
He stopped.
“Please...” she whispered, gently cupping his cheek.
Arin closed his eyes for a moment and took a slow, steady breath.
“Alright,” he said at last.
A moment later, a cheerful voice called from behind.
“Hey, guys! I'm here!”
Rick had arrived.
Arin's jaw tightened.
“I can't stand him,” he muttered.
“Arin...” Liara whispered, giving his hand a reassuring squeeze.
“Are you okay?”
“I'm fine,” he replied, though his eyes never left Rick.
“Let's see how close he tries to get to you.”
“Hi, Liara!” Rick called with a smile.
Before Liara could answer, Arin stepped in front of her.
“Well, Rick,” Arin said coolly,
“You certainly know how to make an entrance.”
Rick sighed.
“You're still misunderstanding me.”
“Forget it,” Arin replied.
“Let's just start the race.”
Arin's expression darkened.
Why has Arin become so possessive? Liara wondered.
He stepped closer and leaned toward her.
“So, you know,” he whispered near her ear,
“you're with me.”
Then he took her hand and led her toward his car.
“Wait, Arin!” Rick called after him. “The rules have changed.”
“This time, we'll draw lots first,” Rick announced.
“Then we'll decide everyone's racing partner.”
Arin stopped.
Without a word, he turned around and walked back toward Rick.
The two stood face to face, neither willing to back down.
The conversation around them fell silent.
Everyone watched, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
